|
It's About Time
Ruth Wong
|
Simple life is satisfying
If you're one those who yearns to un-complicate your life, here's a heads-up on a week designed just for you!
The first week of August is "Simplify Your Life Week," dedicated to de-cluttering for a more stress-free lifestyle. This would be a perfect time to get free of excess clutter, activities and obligations.
Let's face it: For most of us, life is not simple. Left untended, possessions accumulate in our homes and offices, and activities expand and crowd our schedules. Life naturally gravitates toward clutter and complication, and it takes a watchful eye and concerted effort to keep life and possessions in check.
In "The Purpose Driven Life," author Rick Warren states, "A simple life is a full life." When I read that, my thought was that a simple life is an empty, boring life. But now I see how a simple life is a full life, for a packed schedule of rushing around can keep us busy but leave us empty of real satisfaction and meaning.
A simple life allows for fewer but richer relationships and experiences. A simple home devoid of excess allows us to showcase and really enjoy our treasures.
A delightful little booklet, "Keep-Life-Simple Therapy, a Gentle Guide to What Is Truly Essential," by Linus Mundy, includes these tips:
» Learn the art of saying no. When you exclude something, you invariably include something else even more fully.
» Live in time. Rushing to get one thing over so you can move on to something "more important" is folly.
» Remember that the primary reward of work is finding meaning and well-being, not money.
» Set your desk, your chair, your sink, your sights with a view to the outdoors. Life is simpler out there.
» Strive to have access TO things, not ownership OF them. Possess something and it possesses you.
» Do one thing at a time. Put yourself wholeheartedly into what you are doing - no matter how small or mundane.
» Rediscover the joy of a quiet conversation, a simple story or game, an honest expression of affection. These simple gifts and pleasures will help keep your life balanced.
» Don't forget that the longing for simplicity is a spiritual one. Asking physical things to meet spiritual needs doesn't work.
I encourage you to make the most of "Simplify Your Life Week." It will be time well spent! See you in two weeks!
Ruth Wong owns Organization Plus. Contact her care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813, call 488-0288 or e-mail
orgplushawaii@hawaiiantel.net.